System and method for cooling a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory material for corrective spinal surgery

ABSTRACT

A device and method of correcting a spinal defect in a patient employs the use of shape memory material in a spinal correction device. The shape memory material may be transitioned between a flexible martensitic state to allow shaping of the spinal correction device and a rigid austenitic state to apply corrective forces to the spine. The shape memory material may be transitioned to the flexible martensitic by applying a coolant, such as cold gas, directly or indirectly to the shape memory material to transfer heat away from the material. The cooling device and method may allow for in-vivo shaping of the spinal correction device while inserted in the body and attached to bone anchors by cooling the spinal correction device after insertion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to spinal correction devices used in corrective spinal surgery. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and methods for cooling a spinal correction device that is used in a corrective spinal surgery to transition a shape memory material in a spinal correction element from an austenitic state to a flexible martensitic state to allow shaping of the spinal correction element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spinal corrective systems may be used in orthopedic surgery to correct a deformity or misalignment in the spinal column, as well as stabilize and/or fix a desired relationship between adjacent vertebral bodies. Spinal corrective surgery may be used to correct a variety of defects in the spine, such as scoliosis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, vertebral instability, spinal stenosis, degenerated, herniated, or degenerated and herniated intervertebral discs, as well as injuries, including fractures and torn ligaments and surgical manipulations, including laminectomies.

In spinal corrective surgery, a spinal corrective device, such as a spinal rod, and bone anchors, such as screws, bolts, wires and/or hooks, may be used to stabilize the spine, repair a defect and/or bring misaligned vertebrae back into alignment and secure the aligned vertebrae in the aligned position. A standard surgical procedure for correcting spinal defects in the current state of the art involves first distracting the vertebrae, pulling the vertebra back into alignment with the spinal column, and then stabilizing the spine using posterior spinal implants consisting of anchoring devices and spinal corrective elements. An interbody fusion device may also be used to give further stability and correction of the disc height. Compression across the vertebrae may be applied across the construct to set the correct balance of forces in the region.

A spinal corrective device used in such systems is generally a relatively rigid fixation rod or plate that is coupled to a bone by attaching the element to various anchoring devices. The corrective device can extend between two bone regions to effect stabilization, positioning, reduction and/or fixation of the bones. The spinal corrective device can have a predetermined contour that has been designed according to the properties of the target implantation site and, once installed, the spinal corrective element holds the bones in a desired spatial relationship, either until desired healing or spinal fusion has occurred, or for some longer period of time.

Shape memory materials have been used in spinal corrective systems to apply corrective forces to the spine by transitioning a shape memory material in a spinal corrective device between a flexible martensitic state and a rigid austenitic state to generate corrective forces that are transferred to the spine. Shape memory materials are characterized by an ability to restore the material to a pre-selected shape of the austenitic state after plastic deformation. For example, in an austenitic state, the shape memory material is stiff, rigid and has a set, pre-selected shape. In a martensitic state, the shape memory material becomes flexible and deformable and may have any of a variety of shapes. The microstructure of the material in the martensitic state is characterized by “self-accommodating twins”, having a zigzag arrangement, which allow for deformation of the material shape by de-twinning.

Generally, shape memory materials are induced to transition between the rigid austenitic state and the flexible martensitic state by changing the temperature, pressure, stress, chemistry and/or another parameter of the shape memory material. For example, a shape memory material may be cooled to make the material flexible in a martensite state, and subsequently heated to return the material to the original shape with the austenitic structure. The temperature at which a shape memory material starts transforming to austenite is known as the “austenite start temperature.” Further heating increases the temperature of the shape memory material to induce a complete transformation to the austenitic state, setting the shape of the material in the pre-selected shape of the austenitic structure. The temperature at which a shape memory material finishes transforming to austenite is known as the “austenite finish temperature.” A shape memory material can transition to the martensitic state to allow deformation and shaping of the spinal corrective device by changing the temperature of the material below a selected temperature (i.e., cooling the material). The temperature at which a shape memory material begins transformation to the martensite state is known as the “martensite start temperature”. Further cooling decreases the temperature of the shape memory material to induce a complete transformation to the martensite state. The temperature at which a shape memory material finishes transformation to the martensite state is known as the “martensite finish temperature.”

Performing cooling of shape memory material in spinal corrective devices, such as spinal rods, from an ambient or heated state prior to implantation or following implantation can be problematic. For example, the process of handling, manipulating and implanting the spinal corrective device may create a heating effect, causing the device to transition from the martensitic state to the austenitic state before it is desirable. Shape memory corrective devices should therefore be cooled thoroughly to give maximum useful operating time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides system and method for cooling a spinal correction device, such as a spinal rod, to a martensitic state to allow shaping and manipulation of the spinal correction device during a spinal corrective surgery. The system and method may comprise applying a coolant, such as cold gas, directly or indirectly to the material to transfer heat away from the material to induce the transition to a martensitic state. The system and method may allow for in-vivo shaping of the spinal correction device while inserted in the body and attached to bone anchors by cooling the spinal correction device after insertion.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method of cooling a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory material comprises the steps of providing a spinal correction device comprised at least partially of a shape memory material and using a cold gas to the spinal correction device to transition at least a portion of the shape memory material from an austenitic state to a martensitic state.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of correcting a spinal deformity comprises the steps of placing a cooled spinal correction device in the body, wherein the cooled spinal correction device includes a shape memory material, and cooling the spinal correction device while in the body to transition the shape memory material to a martensitic state.

According to still another aspect of the invention, a cooling system for a spinal correction device comprises a housing defining an insulated chamber for receiving a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory material, a source of cooling gas for cooling the insulated chamber to cool the shape memory material and a valve for selectively coupling the source of gas to the insulated chamber to controllably inject cooling gas into the insulated chamber.

In still another aspect of the invention, a method of cooling a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory alloy comprises providing a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory material and cooling a first segment of the spinal correction device without affecting the temperature of other segments of the spinal correction device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings illustrate principles of the invention and, although not to scale, show relative dimensions

FIG. 1 illustrates a spinal correction system according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the steps involved in performing a spinal corrective surgery according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a spinal corrective device including insulation between different segments of the device to facilitate segmental heating and/or cooling of the spinal corrective device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cooling device for a spinal corrective device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a cooling device for a spinal corrective device according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cooling device including a cooling tip for cooling a spinal corrective device according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cooling device comprising a canister of compressed cooling gas in another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cooling device comprising an insulated chamber for cooling a spinal corrective device according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved surgical device and method for correcting a spinal defect in a patient. The present invention will be described below relative to certain exemplary embodiments to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the instruments disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in a number of different applications and embodiments and is not specifically limited in its application to the particular embodiments depicted herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a spinal correction system 10 suitable for performing a spinal corrective surgery according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The spinal correction system preferably includes a plurality of bone anchors, illustrated as bone screws 120, and one or more spinal corrective devices, illustrated as a spinal rod 110, for attaching to the bone anchors 120 and applying a corrective force to move the spine to a corrected shape. A first set of bone screws 120A is attached to and straddles a first vertebra, and a second set of bone screws 120B is attached to and straddles a second vertebra. Bridges 150A and 150B extend between each pair of bone screws 120A, 120B, respectively, each including a rod-receiving portion 152 for receiving the spinal rod 110 to connect the spinal rod 110 to the bone anchors and vertebrae. Locking mechanism may be provided to secure the bridges 150A, 150B to the bone anchors and the spinal corrective device to the bridges 150. Such components are known in the art and may have any suitable size, shape and configuration. Several pairs of bone anchors and bridges may be used to connect the spinal corrective device across a number of vertebrae.

The spinal corrective device 110 is formed at least partially or entirely of a shape memory material, which may be a shape memory polymer or alloy, such as nitinol (a nickel-titanium alloy), to create corrective forces that are applied to the spinal column. In the austenitic phase, the spinal rod 110 has a pre-selected shape matching a corrected or desired shape of the spine. In the martensitic phase, the spinal rod 110 is flexible and malleable to match the shape of the spine in the deformed shape. The spinal corrective device is attached to the connectors or bone anchors while in the martensitic state, and subsequently returned to the austenitic state while attached to the connectors or bone anchors to apply corrective forces to the spine and return the spine to a corrected or desired shape.

The spinal corrective element may have a circular cross-section, a polygonal-shaped cross-section or a cross-section with any other suitable shape. For the illustrative spinal rod 110 preferably has square cross-section to provide torsional correction and stability during correction of the spinal defect.

While the illustrative system comprises a single spinal rod 110, the spinal correction system 10 may alternatively comprise two spinal rods 110 or other spinal corrective elements straddling the vertebrae and connected directly to the bone anchors 120A and 120B or via intermediate connectors 152 and bridges 150.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention the shape memory material in a spinal corrective device used for correcting a spinal defect transitions between martensitic and austenitic states by changing the temperature of the material. The spinal corrective device may be cooled to make the material flexible in a martensite state, and subsequently heated to return the material to the original shape with the austenitic structure. For example, in one embodiment, a material in the martensitic state returns to the pre-selected shape of the austenitic state by changing the temperature of the material, usually by heating the material, above a an austenite start temperature, and preferably past the austenite finish temperature. The shape memory material can transition to the martensitic state to allow deformation and shaping of the spinal corrective device by changing the temperature of the material (i.e., cooling the material) below the martensite start temperature and preferably below the martensite finish temperature.

The invention provides improved devices and methods for transfer heat from a spinal corrective device, such as the spinal rods 110, to cool a shape memory material in the spinal corrective device to transition the material to or maintain the material in a martensitic state to allow shaping and manipulation of the spinal correction device during a spinal corrective surgery. The system and method for cooling may comprise applying a coolant, such as cold gas, directly or indirectly to the material to transfer heat away from the material to induce the transition to a martensitic state. The cooling can be applied in-vivo, while the spinal corrective element is implanted in the patient's body, or external to the patient's body. In addition, the cooling can be applied along segments of the spinal corrective device, or evenly along the entire device.

A temperature sensor and/or a feedback mechanism may be provided to allow for control of the heating and/or cooling and/or other transition-inducing parameter. For example, a sensor may measure the temperature of the shape memory material in the spinal corrective element, which may be used to adjust the heating and/or cooling of the material to control the transition between the martensitic and austenitic states.

FIG. 2 illustrates the steps involved in performing a spinal corrective surgery using a spinal correction system according to an embodiment of the invention. In step 210, the spine is prepared for attachment to the spinal correction system by opening the patient to expose the spine. In step 220, one or more spinal corrective devices, such as a spinal rod 110, formed at least partially of a shape memory material, such as nitinol, are cooled to transition the spinal corrective device to a martensitic phase, making the device malleable and deformable. The device is preferably cooled below the martensite final temperature of the material, to provide sufficient time to manipulate the spinal corrective device in the martensite state, while being maintained above a certain temperature to avoid cold burns to the patient. For a nitinol material, the transition from martensitic to austenitic state and vice versa is characterized by a martensite start temperature of between about 10 and about 15 degrees Celsius, a martensite final temperature between about 10 and about 20 degrees Celsius below the martensite start temperature, an austenite start temperature of between about 0 and about 10 degrees Celsius and an austenite final temperature of about 32 degrees Celsius. For a nitinol spinal rod, the rod is preferably cooled from a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius to a temperature of between about −20 and about −30 degrees Celsius to transition the material to the martensitic state, though one skilled in the art will recognize that the temperature to which the device is cooled may vary.

The spinal corrective device may be provided initially in the austenitic state, where the device has the shape of an expected corrected spine. The initial spinal corrective element may have any of a variety of lengths and curvatures to accommodate particular anatomical variations of the individual patient.

After cooling in step 220, the spinal corrective device 110 may be stored in ice-water or another cold environment to maintain the material in the martensite state.

As described in detail below, the spinal corrective device may be cooled in step 220 through a variety of means. For example, the spinal corrective device 110 may be cooled by applying a cold gas or other coolant directly or indirectly to the spinal corrective device.

In step 230, the bone anchors 120, such as polyaxial screws, and bridges 150 are implanted in the spine at selected locations for receiving the spinal corrective device 110. Alternatively, the bone anchors and bridges are implanted before the cooling of the spinal corrective device in step 220.

After the bone anchors 120 are implanted and the spinal corrective device 110 is transitioned to the martensitic state, the cooled, martensitic spinal corrective device 110 is shaped to match the spinal deformity in step 240. The spinal corrective element may be shaped manually, using benders, or using any suitable instrument. Shaping the flexible spinal corrective device to match the deformity allows the spinal corrective element to match and fit into receiving portions on the bone anchors or other components already connected to the spine.

In one embodiment, a phantom spinal rod may be used in step 240 to shape a martensitic spinal rod to match a spinal deformity. The phantom spinal rod is flexible and may be bent and/or twisted to fit into the receiving-portions to determine the shape of the deformed spine. The cooled spinal corrective device 110, which is flexible and deformable while below the martensite start temperature, and is preferably below the martensite finish temperature, is bent and/or twisted to match the phantom spinal rod, and thus the spinal deformity.

In step 250, the shaped spinal corrective device is placed in receiving portions of the bone anchors 120, and secured thereto. Approximators may be used, if needed, to approximate the spinal corrective device into the receiving portions. During step 250, the temperature of the spinal corrective device is preferably maintained at a sufficiently low temperature, below the austenite start temperature to prevent transition back to the austenite state, allowing the surgeon bend, handle and place the spinal corrective device in the patient. The shaped martensitic spinal corrective device is then fixed to the bone anchors, either directly or indirectly, to be able to withstand a selected amount of corrective force for correcting the spinal deformity.

In step 260, the spinal corrective device is transitioned to the austenitic state, which returns the spinal corrective device to the pre-selected shape of the expected corrected spine to apply corrective forces to the spinal column. In the illustrative embodiment, the spinal corrective device is heated to transition the material to the austenitic state. Preferably, the surgeon transitions the spinal corrective device to the austenitic state by heating the spinal corrective element to or past the austenitic start temperature, and preferably past the austenite finish temperature. The corrective forces in the spinal corrective device 110 are transferred through the bone anchors 120 to the spine. Due to its visco-elastic properties, the deformed spine with be corrected by the corrective forces of the system.

Any suitable means may be used to transition the spinal corrective device to the austenitic state. For example, a heater for heating a shape memory material in a spinal corrective device may employ a heated liquid that circulates near or in contact with the shape memory material to raise the temperature of the shape memory material into the austenitic state. Alternatively, a heater may employ induction heating, resistance heating, electromagnetic radiation heating and/or any other suitable means for increasing the temperature of the shape memory material. According to one embodiment, body heat may be used to partially or fully heat the shape memory material to the austenitic state.

Preferably, the shape memory material is heated above the austenitic final temperature and above body temperature to create sufficient force to move the spine into the corrected configuration, while keeping the temperature sufficiently low (i.e., equal to or below about 40 degrees Celsius) to prevent burns to the body.

The correctional force applied to the spine to correct the spinal deformity is preferably applied evenly and spread across the vertebral bodies.

In one embodiment of the invention, isolated segments of the spinal corrective device may be controllably transitioned between the martensitic state and the austenitic state at a time. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, an embodiment of the spinal corrective device 110′ may have insulation 112 between different segments 1100 of the device to prevent heat or cooling from transmitting from one segment to another to facilitate segmental correction.

In another embodiment, the entire spinal corrective device may transmit heat, so that heating a portion of the spinal corrective device transmits heat to or removes heat from other portions of the spinal corrective device to transition the entire spinal corrective device to an austenitic state or a martensitic state.

According to one embodiment, the vertebrae are fully corrected during the surgical procedure, i.e., the temperature of the shape memory material increases past the austenite final temperature during the surgical procedure, so that no additional transition occurs after surgery.

According to another embodiment, the vertebrae are not fully corrected during the surgical procedure, to allow for post-operative correction as the body heat continues to heat the spinal corrective device up to body temperature after surgery, allowing for post-operative movement. In this manner the spinal defect may be reduced fully over an extended period of time.

In step 270, the spinal corrective device may be locked in the anchors using set screws or another locking mechanism.

According to one aspect of the invention, the spinal corrective device 110 may be cooled while disposed in the body to allow shaping of the corrective device while attached to the bone anchors. The in-vivo cooling of the spinal corrective device allows for control of the corrective forces applied to the spine. For example, if excessive or damaging force is applied to the spine during transition to the austenitic state in step 260, a cooling device may selectively and controllably cool the shape memory material in-vivo to remove some of the corrective force and loosen the spine. Then, heating may be subsequently controllably applied to the shape memory material to reapply the corrective forces to the spine. Alternatively, after releasing the spine by in-vivo cooling, additional anchoring devices may be inserted and connected to the spinal corrective device to spread the load of the corrective forces over a greater area to reduce damage.

A variety of different devices and methods may be used to cool the shape memory material of a spinal corrective device to a martensitic state in step 220 or after attachment to the spine to allow shaping of the spinal corrective device. For example, in one aspect, a coolant circulating through a cooling device creates a cooling effect by drawing heat out of the opposing material until the temperatures of the coolant and material reach a balance, or the cooling device is removed. Examples of suitable coolants include, but are not limited to, water, a salt solution, which freezes at a lower temperature than water, and liquid gases, such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, nitrogen, a mixture of butane, propane and mixer, and other gases suitable for removing heat by the vaporization of the gas on a spinal corrective device.

The cooling device for applying a cold liquid to cool a spinal corrective device can have any suitable size, shape, configuration and cooling means. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a cooling device 300 of one embodiment of the invention may be a hand held device, similar to pipe freezing equipment used to form a plug of ice in a pipe. As shown suitable cooling device according to one embodiment of the invention may include one or more refrigeration units 310 that circulate self-contained refrigerant from a source 350 via fluid paths 320 to freeze heads 330, which are preferably formed of aluminum or another suitable heat-transmitting material. The freeze heads couple to or are brought into proximity with the spinal corrective device to cool the shape memory material in the spinal corrective device. The freeze heads 330 may be configured to fit over the spinal corrective element, to allow cooling both externally and in-vivo. Examples of suitable equipment include, but are not limited to, the “Super-Freeze Pipe Freezing Unit” from RIDGID® Tool, a subsidiary of Emerson of St. Louis, Mo., the Freeze Master 280D and/or 350D, available from B.E.S. Ltd. Of Birmingham, UK, and other similar products.

The cooling device for cooling a spinal corrective device 400 may alternatively comprise a jacket 410 or collar that circulates coolant from a coolant source 450, as shown in FIG. 5. The jacket may be wrapped around the location on the spinal corrective device 110 where the cooling is required or along the entire length of the spinal corrective device. A nozzle 430 on the jacket is coupled to a source of liquid gas 450, such as a cylinder of liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂) or liquid nitrogen (N₂), by means of a high pressure hose 420 or other suitable fluid path. Valves 460 or other flow controllers may be used to control the flow of cooling gas through the fluid paths and jacket 410 When liquid gas is injected into the space between the jacket and spinal corrective device, the gas expands to form a solid plug at a low temperature. For example, liquid carbon dioxide expands to form dry ice at a temperature of −109 degF. The jacket 410 is preferably insulated. The low temperature quickly cools the shape memory material in the associated spinal corrective device. Examples of suitable cooling jackets forming the cooling device according to one embodiment of the invention include, but are not limited to the “Qwik Freezer” portable pipe freezing equipment available from Cob Industries, Inc., of Melbourne, Fla., CRYO-LATER™ Pipe Freeze Seal Products from Cryostop International, Inc., of Wilmington, N.C., the Accu-Freeze, which utilizes liquid nitrogen in a controlled system to freeze a selected section of a device, available from Cob Industries, Inc., and other similar products.

The Accu-Freeze product, which may be used in accordance with the teachings of the invention, comprises an insulated jacket, copper tubing that is wrapped around the section of the device to be cooled, and a liquid nitrogen source. The nitrogen is injected through a control system, which controls the flow of the liquid nitrogen through the insulated jacket based on the temperature of the opposing device being cooled. The liquid nitrogen cools the section of the device wrapped by the jacket, which may be the entire length of the spinal correction device, or one or more selected sections.

The jacket 410 may also selectively circulate a heating fluid to heat the shape memory material to an austenitic state.

Alternatively, the cooling device 500 for cooling a spinal corrective device may have a tip 510 through which a coolant from a coolant source 520, such as cold gas, including, but not limited to nitrogen and carbon dioxide, circulates to create a cold spot, as shown in FIG. 6. The cold tip 520 contacts or is brought into close proximity with the corrective device to cool the corrective device. The illustrative device 500 further includes a trigger 540 for controlling circulation of coolant to the tip 520, and a handle 570 to allow a user to easily grasp and direct the cooling device. An example of such a device is the ERBE cooling gun from BAAT Medical Engineering or the ERBOKRYO 12 (also called the “Cryo Gun”), available from ERBE Elektromedizin of Tübingen, Germany. The ERBE cooling gun is also capable of spraying a cold liquid gas directly on a location of the spinal corrective element to cool the shape memory material to a martensitic state.

The cooling devices 300, 400 and 500 of FIGS. 4-6 are preferably sealed systems, allowing reuse of the cooling device for several cooling processes, without requiring refilling of the devices. The cooling devices 300, 400 and 500 also facilitate control over the location of the cooling process.

In another embodiment, a shown in FIG. 7, a coolant, which may be a gas, such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and nitrogen, may be sprayed from a pressurized source 500 directly on a spinal corrective device to cool the shape memory material in the spinal corrective device. As the coolant is released from the source, the coolant expands, creating a cooling effect that causes very rapid and predictable cooling of the shape memory material. The gas in the coolant vaporizes almost instantly once released from a canister or other pressurized source, drawing heat away from anything it comes into contact with (i.e., the spinal corrective device), drawing heat away from the spinal correction device.

In the illustrative embodiment, the cooling device 500 include a pressurized source includes a pressurized chamber 510 for holding the liquid gas, a trigger 520 for releasing the liquid gas and a relief valve 530 for maintaining a substantially constant operating pressure of the cooling gas. A vent 540 may also be included to allow the internal pressure in the pressurized chamber to gradually vent to increase safety. A collar 550 may be provided to insulate the user's hand. A base 560 may provide stability of the pressurized source 500. Spray tips 570 may also be provided for directing the released gas to a selected location. A variety of spray tips of varying sized apertures may be included in the cooling system 500.

Examples of suitable canisters that may be used to spray a gas onto a spinal corrective device include, but are not limited to the CRY-AC® and CRY-AC®-3 thermal insulated canisters produced by Brymill Cryogenic Systems of Ellington, Conn. The thermal insulated canisters may hold a variety of liquid gasses and allow direct and precise release onto targeted location.

Other examples of suitable canister cooling devices for cooling a spinal corrective device during spinal corrective surgery include the Veruca-Freez™ freezing system, which is a pre-loaded canister of freezing gas, usually liquid nitrogen, available from CryoSurgery, Inc., of Nashville, Tenn., the Histofreezer® cryosurgery kit, available from OraSure Technologies, Inc., of Bethleham, Pa., Freeze 75 cooling product from CRC Industries Sweden AB of Sweden, FREEZ-IT® freeze spray available from ITW Chemitronics® of Kennesaw, Ga., which is a pre-loaded canister of freezing gas made from a mixture of butane, propane and mixer to make the gas non-combustible, medical gases available from The BOC Group of Murray Hill, N.J., which provides compressed medical gas, such as nitrous oxide, in large canisters with a thermally insulated extension tube allowing gas to be pumped to a point of need.

Other examples of suitable sources of cooling gas include cryosurgery systems, such as the Welch Allyn Cryosurgery System from Welch Allyn Medical Products of Skaneateles Falls, N.Y., as well as the Wallach WA 1000B Cryosurgery System and the Wallach LL-100 Cryosurgical system, both available from Wallach Surgical Devices, Inc., of Orange, Conn.

The cooling devices of FIGS. 4-7 allow for targeted cooling of isolated sections of a spinal corrective device, if desired. The illustrative cooling devices facilitate targeted application of the cooling gas to selected locations of the spinal corrective element to transition only at portion or selected portions of the spinal corrective device to the martensitic state. Alternatively, the cooling devices may fully cool the entire spinal corrective device.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the source of application of a cold gas to the spinal corrective device may employ a container placed on a side table in the surgery room that utilizes a thermally insulated extension tube allowing the cold gas to be pumped to the point of need.

In another embodiment of the invention, a cooling device for a spinal corrective element may comprise an insulated container having a source of coolant, such as a gas or a cold liquid, as shown in FIG. 8. The insulated container 800 comprises a housing 810 defining an insulated chamber 820. The insulated chamber 820 is selectively in fluid communication with a source of cold gas 830 or other coolant via a valve 840. To cool a spinal corrective device using the insulated container 800, the spinal corrective device 110 is inserted into the chamber 820 and coolant, such as cold gas, is injected from the source 830 into the chamber 820 to cool the chamber and spinal corrective device stored therein.

Other suitable cooling devices for cooling a shape memory material in a spinal corrective device include, but are not limited to: a container with liquid nitrogen or other liquid coolant, a metal cooling plate, use of Peltier elements and other cooling concepts.

The cooling device may include a thermocouple or other suitable temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the spinal corrective device during cooling. The cooling process may be controlled based on feedback from the temperature sensor.

The cooling devices and method of cooling provide significant advantages over prior methods for cooling spinal corrective devices, including enhanced control over the cooling process, the ability to provide segmental transition to the martensitic state, in-vivo cooling of the spinal corrective element to enhance control over the corrective forces applied to the spine, more thorough cooling of the spinal corrective element and other advantages.

The present invention has been described relative to an illustrative embodiment and application in spinal correction surgery. Since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are to cover all generic and specific features of the invention described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 

1. A method of cooling a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory material, comprising the steps of: providing a spinal correction device comprised at least partially of a shape memory material; and using a cold gas to removing heat from the spinal correction device to transition at least a portion of the shape memory material from an austenitic state to a martensitic state. 